Best Lightweight Weed Eater

Let’s face it, most of us have either a love or hate relationship when it comes to yard work.

Some dread the very thought of stepping into their gardens and having to rake leaves or get rid of weeds, while others find these tasks incredibly thrilling and satisfying.

Regardless of your position in this debate, the hard truth is that yard work still needs to be done.

If you’re not open to enlisting the pricey services of professional lawn care specialists, you’ll have to weed out those unwanted plants with your own two hands

However, this chore can get very tiring, especially if you have a large lawn to cover, and this is where the best lightweight weed eaters come in handy.

Also known as weed wackers, electric string trimmers, or electric weed eaters, you’ll be able to trim grasses or weeds easily and without getting tired too quickly.

Best Lightweight Weed Eater Reviews​

1. Greenworks 40V 13-Inch Cordless String Trimmer-Edger

Greenworks is a young company specializing in battery-operated power tools for homeowners and landscaping businesses and professionals.

This 40V 13-Inch Cordless String Trimmer is one of their most powerful, lightweight models available at an affordable price.

Product Highlights

This cordless tool by Greenworks features a combination of colors that the company is known for: green, silver, and black.

The extendable shaft is made of aluminum, while the rest of the tool is high-quality plastic.

You’ll find a trigger at the top handle of the tool that you can use to change the motor’s speed up to a maximum of 8,000 rpm.

There is also an auxiliary handle that you can easily adjust to match your needs or height.

This tool weighs around 5.6 pounds and requires the G-MAX 40V lithium-ion battery that you can purchase separately.

However, if you have another Greenworks tool running on the same battery model, feel free to use it.

With the battery attached, expect the tool to weigh around 9.26 pounds, which is still lightweight compared to other weed eaters.

Performance-wise, this tool cuts and trims even the toughest of weeds thanks to its 13-inch cutting path.

Its head can also pivot in four different positions, making trimming at different angles more convenient.

Additionally, the head rotates at a 90-degree angle that you can take advantage of when doing walk-behind edging tasks.

It also has an edging wheel to ensure clean or precise edging works.

Lastly, the tool comes with an auto-feed head and 0.065 inches of a single line.

With all those in mind, here’s a quick look on how the tool works:

What We Like

What we love most about this tool is the amount of power it produces, and together with its cutting diameter, you can accomplish your lawn care tasks in a short period.

It’s also great that you can adjust the tool’s speed for better control.

What We Don’t Like

Although the tool has user-friendly and adjustable features, handling it can be a bit challenging because of the need to press two buttons at a time.

Likewise, it is the tool with the heaviest weight among the options on our list.

That is something first-time weed eater users should consider before purchasing it.

2. Makita XRU02Z Cordless String Trimmer-Edger

Makita is a world-renown brand that has been producing and innovating tools for more than a decade.

Designed to help you cut through any chaff, the XRU02Z is another lightweight 2-in-1 tool worth considering.

Product Highlights

In line with Makita motor technology, the motor of this weed eater delivers a superb 7800 revolutions per minute.

If you factor in the easy-to-assemble spool, you end up with a very effective tool that can cut through the toughest of weeds.

Another thing we like is the head of the Makita 18V trimmer, which gives you five different positions for cutting from difficult angles.

Plus, its telescoping shaft can be adjusted from 481/2” to 561/2”.

This string trimmer weighs a measly 6.4 pounds and has dimensions of 5.16 x 19.13 x 13.27 inches, making it compact for working in very tight spaces.

Not only that, but the bump-and-feed trimmer head also rotates at five different positions that make it easier to navigate through hard-to-reach areas and uneven surfaces.

You’ll also find that it has a battery warning light to alert you when the battery is running low, and the motor shuts down automatically when you need to recharge it.

Safety-wise, this Makita tool has star protection designed to prevent overloading and overheating.

Watch the video below to see the tool in action.

What We Like

Ease of use is undoubtedly the strongest feature of this Makita tool, but what we love most is the overheat and overload protection system.

It will protect you from possible burns and accidents, as well as protect your property from a potential fire hazard.

What We Don’t Like

With the battery’s limited power and tool’s small cutting swath, it won’t be practical to use it on your mid-sized and large yard or garden.

​3. Earthwise LST02010 Cordless String Trimmer-Edger

Earthwise Power Tools by American Lawn Mower Co. has long been committed to producing and selling eco-friendly outdoor maintenance tools.

The LST02010 is the most affordable on our list of the best lightweight weed eaters, especially since it already comes with a battery and charger.

Product Highlights

User comfort is the first thing that comes to mind when you look at what this tool has to offer, especially since it only weighs around 4.2 pounds even with the battery attached.

Right out of the box, you’ll find that setting it up is a breeze since it comes with an easy-to-follow manual and doesn’t require any special tools.

The trimmer’s upper handle can rotate at 180 degrees and has a non-slip, ergonomically designed rubber grip for ease of use, even for extended periods.

In this area, you’ll locate the safety and trigger switches so you can easily and quickly push them as and when needed.

Likewise, you can adjust the auxiliary handle from left to right or front to back to get through hard-to-reach areas easily.

You’ll also find that you can adjust the telescoping pole’s height from 38 inches to 48 inches and vice versa.

Trimming weeds and tall grasses on uneven edges and around plants won’t be too difficult either, thanks to the tool’s three-head position cutting head.

Additionally, it has a steel-made edge guard that you can easily flip down to protect your plants while edging or trimming around or near them.

The 20V, 2.0Ah lithium-ion battery that comes with the tool requires at most an hour of charging once you take it out of the box.

Once fully charged, it can reach a maximum speed of 8,800 rpm and work for a maximum of 45 minutes.

Additionally, you can use the battery to power other Earthwise tools with the same battery requirement.

This weed eater by Earthwise also has a 10-inch cutting width, which is great for trimming and edging grasses or weeds in small lawns and gardens.

To learn more about how the tool works, watch the video below:

What We Like

What makes this Earthwise tool stand out are how quickly it is to charge the battery and how efficient its edge guard is.

It’s a tool that will ensure you won’t have to worry about small debris that aren’t visible that would otherwise be flying towards you or the people around.

What We Don’t Like

Like the Makita tool, this tool is only recommended for small properties because of its small cutting diameter.

The battery also discharges easily and has a short lifespan, so you might want to have extra batteries in your arsenal.

​4. WORX WG163.9 Power Share GT 3.0 Cordless String Trimmer-Edger

WORX is another company known for its quality power tools for carpentry and outdoor maintenance.

Although this cordless tool isn’t the lightest in terms of weight among those included in WORX’s WG series, it has features that will help you accomplish your yard tasks quickly and conveniently.

Product Highlights

The WORX WG163.9 comes with the brand’s standard color combination: orange, silver, and black and weighs around 5.3 pounds with the battery attached.

It also boasts an innovative spool system technology that allows you to have complete control of when to feed the tool with a line.

All you have to do is press the line feed button, and it instantly gives you more line.

Additionally, the tool comes with the DNA2 DoubleHelix aerodynamic line or string, which minimizes drags and motor strain that leads to quick weed or grass cutting.

You’ll also find that the WORX WG163.9 comes with an ergonomically designed handle that you can adjust to seven different positions for better control and comfort.

You can also adjust the telescopic shaft according to your height.

When using the tool, you can shift between edging and trimming modes by simply pulling the shaft and then rotating its head.

With its 12-inch diameter cutting head, you’re also assured that you can cut enough grasses in a shorter amount of time.

The tool’s head can also tilt up to a 90-degree angle so that you can work on hard-to-reach, uneven, and sloped areas quickly and easily.

You also don’t have to worry about your plants, outdoor furniture, and decorations while trimming or edging grasses around them, thanks to its adjustable spacer guard.

Note that the tool requires a 20V, 2.0Ah lithium-ion battery that can last from 30 to 40 minutes when fully charged.

You can purchase this battery separately, but if you already have the same battery to operate another WORX tool, that would be fine.

Here’s a quick look at the fundamental features of the tool:

What We Like

The best thing about this WORX tool is that it arrives with one of the most critical components: a tough, high-quality, innovative string line.

Plus, by entering the right code upon purchase, you’ll have a limited supply of spool, which is great for your wallet.

What We Don’t Like

Unfortunately, the battery’s power won’t last long enough for you to be able to work on large properties, especially since the cutting diameter is more suitable for mid-sized lawns.

That said, recharging the battery frequently might be much of a hassle since you need to stop working for a while.

If you want continuous work, though, you may want to have an extra battery on hand.

5. PowerSmart PS76110A Cordless String Trimmer-Edger

PowerSmart offers affordable outdoor products, such as pressure washers, snow throwers, and string trimmers.

Like the Earthwise tool we reviewed above, the PS76110A Cordless String Trimmer-Edger is a cost-effective option because it already comes with a charger and battery.

Product Highlights

Like the rest of the tools on this list, the PowerSmart PS76110A has many adjustable features that make it easy to use, no matter how tall or short you are.

The shaft length ranges from 37 to 47 inches, while the handle allows you to choose from eight different positions.

It has a cutting diameter of 10 inches, perfect for trimming and edging weeds or grasses on small lawns, gardens, and more.

The tool’s head rotates at a 90-degree angle to allow you to work on tight spaces and uneven surfaces.

You also don’t have to worry about feeding the tool with a line since it comes with an automatic feed spool system.

The battery that comes with the tool is 20V, 1.5Ah lithium-ion that requires a maximum of one hour to reach its total capacity.

When fully charged, this 7.5-pound tool can work as fast as 8,200 RPM.

If you want to learn more about how the tool works and how useful its features are, here’s a short video:

What We Like

The best thing about the PowerSmart PS76110A is its speed, regardless of how light it is, ensuring you can accomplish your task quickly.

It’s also great how quickly it is to charge the battery, so you can continue working after taking a short break.

What We Don’t Like

The problem with this string trimmer is that you can’t use it for tough weeds and mid-sized and large properties.

Even if the battery charges quickly, it can only power the tool for a short amount of time.

What to Look for When Buying a Weed Eater?

Although we’ve narrow down your choices into five weed eaters, you still need to know what features to look for to help you pick the right one for your needs.

Below are some of them.

 Comfort

When using a string trimmer, you will probably be bearing the full weight of the tool.

As such, it’s important to pick one that is comfortable to haul and navigate.

Advisably, it should have shoulder straps to provide more comfort.

It’s also ideal to look for adjustable features so that you can set the tool to maintain proper posture while using it.

Those with ergonomically designed handles or grips will also ensure your comfort while using the tool. 

Quiet Motors or Engines

Whether you go for an electric or gas powered lightweight weed eater, ensure that it operates quietly.

Whenever possible, go for electric models as they are quieter than the gas powered ones.

Powerful Trimming Abilities

If you want to trim stubborn weeds, you should go for a weed eater with dual nylon lines.

Ideally, the lines should be 0.08 inches or thicker so that they can cut through tough vegetation.

But you should also follow the manufacturer’s recommendations about cutting lines as the heavy duty ones can cause damage to the motor.

Durable Build

The best weed eaters are those made of high-quality materials.

Look for one that integrates supreme materials into a thoughtful design whether it’s the pullcords, spools or engines.

Battery Type

Since most of the lightest weed eaters run with the help of a battery, the tool you should opt for should have the right kind of battery.

You’ll find nickel-cadmium or NicCad varieties and lithium ions, like the units we reviewed above.

Lithium-ion batteries are undoubtedly more powerful and smaller than NiCads but are more expensive.

Nonetheless, li-ion batteries don’t usually suffer from the so-called memory effect, which is known to affect its ability to hold a charge when used without reaching its 100% level.

Meaning, it can save you from the hassle of recharging the battery to its full capacity each time you need to use it or when you just need it to get rid of a few weed.

FAQs About Battery-Powered Weed Eaters 

1. How Long Do Battery Powered Weed Eaters Last?

Your cordless weed eater’s lifespan will depend on many factors: brand, quality, maintenance, and usage.

Generally, though, these tools should last from five to ten years.

2. Are Battery-Powered Weed Eaters Worth It?

Definitely! That is most especially if you want to work without worrying about annoying the people around you because of the loud noise power tools usually produce.

They’re also worth it if you don’t have electric outlets near the lawn or don’t want to worry about using an extension cord or tripping on a cord.

You’ll also experience lesser fatigue since they’re lighter than most, if not all, gas-powered and corded units.

Plus, there’s little to no vibration transfer from the tool to your hand.

Finally, they’re easier to maintain and store than gas-powered and sometimes, corded string trimmers.

3. Do Electric Weed Eaters Need Oil?

Obviously, electric weed eaters, either corded or cordless, won’t need oil for them to function.

Maintenance-wise, though, you would need motor oil for the moving parts.

4. How Do I Maintain My Cordless Weed Eater?

Speaking of maintenance, there are several other things to keep in mind apart from applying oil to the moving parts.

One is to make sure that you always check the tool’s line or string. It gets thinner as you use it, and eventually becomes inefficient.

How you replace it will depend on the tool’s model, so always consult the user’s manual or contact the manufacturer for proper instructions.

As you’re replacing the line, maximize your time by cleaning the area around the tool’s head and cutting shield.

Ensure that you also check for any wear and tears, and then replace whatever parts need replacement.

Of course, always choose recommended and compatible replacement parts.

Additionally, after using your cordless string trimmer, allow it to cool down and remove any clippings or debris. Then, lubricate its metal parts.

The last thing you need to do is store the tool in a well-ventilated, dry place inaccessible to your pets and children.

Final Verdict

Are you tired of hauling around bulky and smelly gas powered weed eaters?

If so, these new and redesigned lightweight weed eaters are just what you need.

Cutting weeds can be an arduous task, and it becomes even more taxing when you have to navigate a heavy weed eater.

The string trimmers we reviewed  will get the job done without causing fatigue not only because of their lightweight, but also since they’re all easy to use, convert, and maneuver.

Overall, though, we highly recommend the WORX WG163.9 Power Share GT 3.0 because you can use it for both small and medium-sized lawns, offering you great value for your money.